chinese-new-year-12, originally uploaded by DeNic Photos.

Model June Homdayjanakul for a Chinese New Year themed shoot

Take time out of your busy working schedule to learn some new tricks and keep growing as a photographer.

I spent an afternoon in the studio working with a few fellow photographers on lighting during a Chinese New Year themed shoot last week. We had a lot of fun trying out different poses and lighting set ups.

This was my first time actually shooting on the cyc wall at the studio and figuring out how I wanted to light things in the future was fun.

Taking some time to practice will help with paid shoots in the future as I will have in my head the best way to light this or that and poses that work and don’t work.

Makes for happy clients and a happy photographer as well!

Capitol and more, originally uploaded by DeNic Photos.

I had always wondered how photographers got those great shots that encompassed so much of a city skyline. Since this whole landscape thing is new to me and my idea of a landscape photo is little less than traditional (I tend to like night images…call me weird) I wanted to try to emulate some of the great images I have found over the years.

I picked up a Tokina 12-24/f4 lens, what they call an ultra wide angle lens, and have been playing with it. The image of the Colorado State Capitol was taken with this lens on a December night with a full cold moon hiding behind the clouds.

All the other lenses I tried that night would either capture the Capitol and some street, or the moon and some street. But the UWA lens got it all and the shot was nice and clear and free of digital noise.

Having the right equipment is key in getting “that” image.

I have made a resolution for 2009, albeit a tad bit early. One of my resolutions is to make sure that I have the right equipment to get the right image…no matter what the image may be. Yes, reworking the equipment bag is a huge priority for me in this coming year.

All done to make my services a better value for YOU!

Pomegranate in Glass, originally uploaded by Dizzle @ 2*3 Photos.

I was eating a Pomegranate the other day while drinking some 7-Up. I pondered how I could make this task less sticky on my hands…outcome is Pomegranate seeds in glass of 7-Up.

Strobist info: Human light stand holding Maglight camera left, diffused through not so translucent shopping bag.

I have been trying to work on doing more “practice” with lighting. Actually I have been working on doing more “practice” period. Meaning my inspiration to get out and shot is gone. So I am trying to find some interesting things to try to at least keep me shooting and playing between the paid stuff.

quinn, originally uploaded by ~ Dizzle ~.

Quinn spends his first hours of life getting to know mom and pop. Love at first site.

Having the right equipment for the job really counts. Capturing the first moments of life is one of the highlights of being a photographer and making sure that those precious moments come out just right is key. You don’t get do overs in this!

The shot above was taken with a 50/1.8 with nothing but the window light coming through on a cloudy day. I think the lighting and loving touch from little Q’s mom makes this image a definite keeper. And mom and dad thought so too.